Holding Intent - Part V
OC#9 ©2007 David Castle 12"x12"
Self Care
Lately I have been practicing abundant self care. I believe this is an important element to holding intent. Self love and self care are super important pieces to living the life I want. When I set an intent or a goal I find it easier to hold that intent or complete that goal if I am at peace with myself.
Here are some things I’ve done in the last month as part of my self care:
- Start acupuncture. I’ve thought out this many times but I wasn’t on first name terms with needles so I was never willing to take the leap. Then Alyson Stanfield posted a referral for an acupuncturist and I took this as a sign it was time to become buddies with the needles. I had my second treatment today with Renae Einspahr and I’m hooked. Good thing my insurance pays for this cause I can see it a frequent element of my self care.
- Buy art I love. I’ve always wanted to purchase some of David Castle’s art and now the piece above is part of my collection. I love his work. You can read about how he makes these amazing water media pieces on his blog.
- Drinking plenty of water is something I have to work at, it doesn’t come naturally for me yet. I’m working on adding this to my daily ritual as I feel tons better when I’m well hydrated.
- I decided to celebrate my sense of well being today by buying myself a big box of my favorite chocolates. Yum. Why wait for someone else to pamper me when I can pamper myself. Expecting someone else to treat me better than I treat myself is a recipe for unhappiness.
- It doesn’t matter what I’m doing or what the weather is like, I always feel happier if I’ve been outside for a while. I would like to fit a walk into my life every day and I’m working up to that goal. Last friday the sun had the first hint of heat in it peaking through the bite of the cold wind and on saturday it was down right warm. It felt incredible.
- My cats are really missing my kids. [they are in Europe with their father for 3 months. Two down, 1 more to go. The cats aren’t the only ones missing them.] I’m spending much more time each day sitting and petting my cats. They are so excited to have me SIT DOWN. They have an internal radar for this activity and come running. "ohmygawd - she’s sat down and it’s not in front of the computer or sewing machine - quick jump in her lap!". Not only do the cats love it but slowing down like this has brought a lot of inner peace for me.
How do you practice self care?
Related Posts
Transitioning and Intent
Holding Intent - Part I [Realistic Goals]
Holding Intent - Part II [Excuses]
Holding Intent - Part III [Focus]
Holding Intent - Part IV [Enough Time]
[I said I’d talk about fear this time but I didn’t want to go there tonight as the acupuncture and chocolate have lulled me into peacefulness. Next time.]
Posted by Lisa in: Intent
Tagged: Acupunture, Alyson Stanfield, buying art, cats, David Castle, Intent, walking
Angela Moll said,
February 11, 2008 @ 10:40 pm
Chocolates, that’s a good one for self care. I like to buy myself a little artisanal bonbon of super good chocolate to celebrate and eat it with total mindfulness.
Naps: a 30 min. nap instead of caffeine. Self-care and productivity boost at once.
I also like to go out, climb on a rock and just sit there for a while.
Thanks Lisa for this thread of Intent. I am really enjoying it. Good food for thought.
Seth said,
February 11, 2008 @ 11:00 pm
I love David’s art…and he is a nice guy too boot! The piece you purchased is wonderful.
Tina Mammoser said,
February 12, 2008 @ 2:37 am
David Castle’s painting is gorgeous! :) Congrats!
My main self-care indulgence is my chiropractor. He’s absolutely amazing. Since I have a habit of wrecking my body mountain biking, in addition to longterm back pain, he’s my hero. I look forward to the day when my chiro treatment is preventative.
I really do love exercising - either the bike, running or going on my elliptical machine. One of those things that I have to remind myself though.
And I’ve given up milk this year. That’s helping me immensely with my breathing so I’m hoping it’ll help improve my mountain biking thresholds. :)
On Sunday I treat myself to croissants and orange juice. Small things.
Melody Madden said,
February 12, 2008 @ 5:51 am
I too need to work on drinking more water…it doesn’t come easy to me either. Yoga is an everyday ritual I couldn’t do without. The last few weeks I’ve begun scheduling myself. I have blocked out time to be in my studio, time to workout, time for lunch etc. etc. I am the type of person who requires this in my daily life or I would just sit around surfing the net all day long.
Couldn’t do without good chocolate or a glass of red wine now and again
Susie Monday said,
February 12, 2008 @ 7:52 am
Hi Lisa
I have been working on a list of “minimum requirements” per Jennifer Louden’s book about self care (The Life Organizer). Among my dailies: 7-8 hours of peaceful sleep, time in nature or at least mindful LOOKING at the natural world, at least one hour completely by myself — Susie
Diana Connolly said,
February 12, 2008 @ 9:57 am
Hi Lisa:
I’ve never had a problem indulging in myself, which is also taking care of myself. I sleep 8-9 hours a night and I try to work out or walk daily. When I really feel indulgent, I get a great deep tissue massage. I also take care of my “carcass” by getting a facial, manicure and pedicure every couple of months. Physicals are done regularly as is teeth cleaning every six months. And lastly, I don’t eat fast food, but I do love a good glass of wine.
Great painting you bought.
Diana
cynthia said,
February 12, 2008 @ 10:56 am
David’s work is wonderful - congratulations on adding it to your collection!
It sounds like you are really having some wonderful “me” time and are on a good track for yourself.
cynthia said,
February 12, 2008 @ 10:57 am
PS. So funny you should mention acupuncture - my husband has been suffering from sciatica pain ever since falling on ice while biking home from work and just mentioned that he might like to try it to relieve the pain.
Sarah Jayne said,
February 12, 2008 @ 3:10 pm
Self-care I think is something you learn about as you go through life. After a few knocks you learn what you need to keep yourself well.
I’ve learnt to take the odd afternoon nap when I need it.
Go to the gym - as it seems to energize me.
Make sure I do something creative as often as I can- it always make me feel better.
Have an early night when needed.
Have a massge.
I don’t do these things all the time - but when I need them I know what does the trick now.
leah said,
February 12, 2008 @ 4:59 pm
loved reading this post! it felt like a little bit of self-care to me. self-care for me includes wonderfully smelling soaps, shampoo, and lotions along with a long shower or bath. Sometimes it means allowing myself to read just for fun, going to sleep a little earlier than I might usually, or enjoying a good movie with a cup of cocoa and some cats on my lap. :-)
Tracy said,
February 12, 2008 @ 10:25 pm
You wrote, “Expecting someone else to treat me better than I treat myself is a recipe for unhappiness.” How true that is.
Sometimes I’m hard as nails on myself. Sometimes I let wqy too much slide. I’m searching for just the right balance.
jafabrit said,
February 13, 2008 @ 5:29 am
Great Post, and yes so important. Lisa, are you doing the acupuncture for a specific problem, and is it helping where other traditional methods didn’t. I ask because I have in my lower back multiple bulging discs, hypertrophy of the ligaments, and a wee bit arthritis, just wondering if acupuncture is worth a try.
Like you I struggle with drinking my water. I have lost 30lbs and have a few more pounds to go, so I am pleased with that.
I walk almost everyday with the dogs, enjoy cups of tea, doing my art, my blogging, sometimes a little afternoon movie, sometimes just enjoying solitude and the silence of the house.
I started self care at a young age when I had to repair the damage my father did with years of abuse. Each year my self care requirements change, but one thing that doesn’t, protecting myself from toxic people. I always back away when I sniff the toxicity (that doesn’t always mean I think the person is evil necessarily) .
Lisa Call said,
February 13, 2008 @ 11:30 am
Thanks everyone for your comments. Self care is so much about little things each day. Some of you had some great ideas that I will think about. I working at doing a better job in this area.
Jafabrit - big congrats on losing 30lbs! I’m with you on the protecting myself from toxic people. This has been part of my decluttering also. I agree - I don’t think the people are toxic but my interaction with them is - and it is a huge drain on my energy. Some of these have been painful to let go from my life but the end result is freedom. I’m going to acupuncture for some chronic back/shoulder/hip issues but mostly for general healing - I believe it will be a life long practice.
Tracy - yes yes - there is an interesting balance between being way too hard and too easy on oneself. Finding that balance is definitely something I’m working on also.
Reina Swan said,
February 13, 2008 @ 12:46 pm
Acupuncture is # 1 and I love this form for keeping healthy - Yoga for the back
Less carbs - more water - no refined sugars (only fruit) - a shot of Monavai - Add some creative things to grow the mind - It is hard to find balance but as long as I strive for it I am that much closer.
I enjoyed reading your blog.
Lisa Call said,
February 21, 2008 @ 9:59 pm
Thanks Reina!
PK Mercado said,
February 23, 2008 @ 4:25 pm
I too have been there myself. Self care is self love. That my dears takes lifetimes to master. If we ever. To me it’s a process, that at times seems like a long winding road to no where. With every thing I’ve been through the last four years, self care has been what I’ve been forced to do.
We do for everyone, and us last. And that is okay, But before we can truly do for any one, we have to truly do for our selves. Self care is self love. Love all that you see in your selves. you are all love, true and true.
Live, love and most of all be wild for you
How I love myself is through my artwork, with out it I would be out of my mind by now, It has been my saving grace. Blogging has helped me to make it happen and reach out to myself and my fears. Just jump the net will show up.
My emotion flows freely through my work, where I can just be.
PK Mercado said,
February 23, 2008 @ 4:28 pm
Love the work by the way, they rock. Keep it up and always, always be who you are, fill it with everything you got, and jump no matter how hard it is, it will only make you stronger.
Aloah Pk
glennis said,
March 2, 2008 @ 11:40 am
self care-
saving time for the good people in my life
doing my work/art everyday
eating/cooking good healthy food
walking
massage
being in nature
love the painting! looks like dye
i also wanted to say that dyeing is a form of self care for me- having and working with all that color just does something i can’t explain. it just feels good and makes me happy. makes others happy too. color therapy perhaps.